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PSDFan Extra
Week 39: Ink It
In the space of 5 minutes I can identify some of the key strengths and weaknesses of this design, and sketch out a mockup.
STRENGTHS:
- The bright color-scheme suits the happy party theme and Hawaiian theme well.
- The products/product info are prominently displayed
- Honestly I’m not seeing a lot of other strengths. I want to be constructive but this website quite hard to view for reasons laid about below.
WEAKNESSES:
- There are either some serious browser issues, or a lot of the content simply isn’t displaying correctly. There are large areas of space with no content filling them. The header area contains no logo or any other content.
- The menu isn’t formatting correctly, overlapping many of the links. This makes it really hard to use.
- The layout feels really boxy, and there aren’t really any design touches.
- Considering the fact that the site is by definition creative, it lacks any kind of uniqueness or personality.
My Redesign
As always, I was limited by the 30 minute time-frame, but I tried to improve upon several of Ink It’s features, adding a few design flourishes and a clearer layout that promoted content over wasted space:
WHAT I TRIED TO DO:
- I created a proper header area, including logo and shopping cart.
- I created a much clearer menu, with hover/active states, and a color highlight area for the buying options.
- I encouraged much more of a shopping experience, where rather than being bombarded by information, the users are given special offers, and clear examples of key products.
- I kept up the hawaiian theme, integrating some relevant visual elements, creating an attractive billboard area.
Comparing the 2 Designs:
Here is a quick comparison between the original design and my 30 minute redesign. Sure, my design could be more polished, but I believe that a lot of the basic elements have been improved upon, creating a more pleasant browsing experience.
How and Why To Enter Redesign Saturdays
You can have the chance to have your website redesigned in next weeks post. All you need to do is leave a comment to this post with your website address and why you think it needs a redesign.
*NOTE: I can only accept sites with English content, as foreign language websites are simply too hard for me to work with.
The Benefits of Getting Your Site Redesigned Include:
- Most obviously – a FREE redesign job!
- Your website gets exposure to PSDFAN’s thousands of readers
- You understand how to improve your website. This isn’t just a redesign, it’s a lesson in design.
- You will get emailed the .psd of your redesign and can do whatever you want with it!
So please, leave a comment today for a chance to have your website redesigned next week!
About the Author:
Tom is the founder of PSDFAN. He loves writing tutorials, learning more about design and interacting with the community. On a more interesting note he can also play guitar hero drunk with his teeth.
12 Comments:
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That is an excellent redesign, well done!
love the white space at the top of the original (hehe)
Hi, this is really cute and great information. Thank you for picking my site.
Although I don’t like the background image, it doesn’t go with the party idea, don’t really care to incorporate anything Hawaiian.
I do have a header image, but for some reason it doesn’t show up in firefox.. it could be because of the weebly.com program that I use. It DOES, however, show up in Internet Explorer.
I don’t know if I want an HTML or PSD or whatever.. type of website. I need something that is easy for me to add and change.. and this is what I came up with. I know it’s not perfect, alot of my visitors like it. Sure I would like to improve my website, but only if I can edit it very easily. I’m not a very savvy person when it comes to designing websites, so that’s why it is the way it is. I would like it to look a “little” more professional, but I have no time to focus on that, and I’m not sure a PSD/HTML website would be easy to edit.. what do you think?
I think your an idiot
Mike: Thanks a lot, I think it’s definitely cleaner
.
Good Web Design: Haha, yeah thankfully that was just a browser issue.
JVarize: I’m glad that you found this casestudy helpful. It’s really up to you what type of website you prefer, although I love WordPress websites personally. I’m happy to email you the .psd file though if you want to get it coded.
John: Pointless comment…
Nice Redesign! I really like the new menubar! However I think it lacks the “party” feel but looks much more professional.
Congratulations Tom, I am Brazilian and I really appreciate your work. always accompany its series of redesign and it is very inspiring.
Whoa, good rescue job, Tom. Updating to your suggested design would really strengthen Ink It’s brand and reputation. I think it’d look ace.
Hope you can get your problems sorted out, JVarize.
Awesome job tom, can i get redesign from you too?? my blog has simple layout and i wonder what can you do with my blog. thanks
JVarize: I think you need to be realitistic, if you dont want the hawian image thats fine but Toms done a great and free service for you, but you need someone to write the html up for you if you dont have the skills. You also mention that you want to be able to easily update it yourself. In that case you need to get someone to design a CMS system for you. Honestly anyone who said they like the design are just trying to not hurt your feelings. Whenever I come across these type of websites my interest is automatically lost as soon as the page loads because the design tells me the business doesnt take there online presence seriously. Either learn basic html or get someone to do it for you proffessionally. As MartT mentioned updating to your suggested design would really strengthen Ink It’s brand and reputation.
Giorgos: Thanks! I see your point, and would have gone for a more party-feel had I had more time. Most of my time was spent trying to make things more professional
.
Anniel: Thanks very much! I’m glad that you’re enjoying the series.
MartT: Thanks Mark! I definitely think a re-brand would equate to more sales and a better reptuation for them.
Android: Thankyou
. I’ll be sure to bear your site in mind for next weeks redesign!
Brm001: Thanks for the support. Yeah, I definitely can’t afford to offer html services for free, and the idea behind this series is that it’s largely conceptual – with my suggestions hopefully pointing improvements for people to integrate.
JVarize: As brm001 mentioned, all suggestions are purely to try and help. And I can’t recommend hiring a good coder enough! It really will pay dividends for your business.
nice work man!
i’ve just know about ur redesign saturday’s works! awesome!